American is not happy with Sabre's decision to share info with other GDSs

[FWAAA]

I know it doesn't involve the TWU/AA conspiracy theories or variable compensation anger, but here goes anyway:

American Airlines Statement on GDS Content Sharing

Wednesday March 8, 12:54 pm ET

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today, American Airlines issued the following statement in response to the announcement issued March 7, 2006, by Sabre Holdings that it had reached an agreement with Amadeus IT Group to share content from airlines that might not participate in one of the two networks:

American believes that its contracts with Global Distribution System (GDS) providers prohibit redistributing and remarketing American's content among those systems. American has not had a chance to fully examine / review the workings of the agreement between Sabre and Amadeus, and will be requesting a further explanation of the agreement from both Sabre and Amadeus for this purpose.

American has in the past, and will in the future, vigorously protect its content to the fullest extent under applicable contracts and law; this will include addressing bookings of American's fares made through unauthorized sources.

"It greatly concerns us that this announcement by Sabre may indeed mislead travel agencies and professionals into falsely believing that the content issue facing the GDSs is solved by this arrangement," said David Cush, American's Vice President and General Sales Manager.

"American Airlines has stated previously that it may not participate in all GDSs going forward. Furthermore, as we negotiate with the GDSs, American is committed to keeping travel professionals informed so that they can plan for maintaining full access to American's fares," said Cush.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060308/daw036.html?.v=48

Well, ya shouldn't have spun off Sabre in the first place. Then you'd have a stronger hand to discipline those guys. And you'd still have that revenue stream and all that cash. B)

Here's the text of Sabre's announcement from Tuesday, Mar 7:

Sabre Announces Agreement with Amadeus to Provide Access to Airline Inventory to Benefit Travel Agents, Travelers

Tuesday March 7, 8:00 am ET

SOUTHLAKE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 7, 2006--Sabre Holdings (NYSE:TSG - News) today announced a new agreement with Amadeus IT Group SA to provide their respective travel agents with uninterrupted access to airline inventory.

Specifically, the agreement enables Sabre Travel Network to provide its travel agents with the ability to complete bookings on an airline that might not participate in the Sabre global distribution system (GDS). Sabre will offer the same back-up for Amadeus.

The agreement is designed to benefit the tens of thousands of Sabre GDS subscribers as well as the traveling public by ensuring their travel agents have content access to offer a broad choice of airlines. Providing Sabre connected agents with this capability will help to ensure they have continued broad and seamless access to airline inventory and is expected to help avoid service disruptions. The ultimate beneficiaries of this agreement are travelers, whether leisure or business, who can now be assured that their travel agent will continue to be able to service the full range of their travel needs.

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060307/20060307005236.html?.v=1

 

[formeraa]

Well, ya shouldn't have spun off Sabre in the first place. Then you'd have a stronger hand to discipline those guys. And you'd still have that revenue stream and all that cash. B)

IIRC, there wasn't really much choice. AA wanted to keep SABRE, but it looked like the government was basically going to force them to divest of SABRE. So, they spun it off.

 

[1AA]

Spinning off Sabre was another CARTY Blunder.
Even Bob Crandall critized the sale of Sabre.
Selling off a profitable asset is not a wise choice.
With Don Carty who knows what motivated him to do so.

 

[PRINCESS KIDAGAKASH]

I know it doesn't involve the TWU/AA conspiracy theories or variable compensation anger, but here goes anyway:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060308/daw036.html?.v=48

Well, ya shouldn't have spun off Sabre in the first place. Then you'd have a stronger hand to discipline those guys. And you'd still have that revenue stream and all that cash. B)

Here's the text of Sabre's announcement from Tuesday, Mar 7:
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060307/20060307005236.html?.v=1

Sorry FWAAA, I'm afraid Sabre is also part of the TWU/AA conspiracy. In 1983 the TWU gave AA massive concessions so AA could spend money on expanding Sabre,building AMR Combs,AMR logistics,building up AA eagle,buying Skychefs,etc. These concessions were supposed to be used to expand AA, but were squandered to build up all these side businesses. AA did expand in the 1980's, but that was due to the collapse of Braniff airlines,once the biggest carrier at DFW.

 

[MCI transplant]

----- Hey! There's always Worldspan!!!!